how to open DXF/DWG Document

[Anonymous]

when i choose the Open command from the File menu and select the DXF or DWG file ,dialog box DXF/DWG does not appear...?

[Anonymous]

it is very important which version of ArchiCAD and AutoCAD you use.
for example, you cannot open with ArchiCAD 8 an DWG made with AutoCAD 2005, or saved with 2005.
otherwise, you must use appropiate or earlier version of autocad to open with archicad
perhaps that's the reason you cannot open the dwg

[Anonymous]

To me it looks more like missing Add-on. It that would be a version conflict proper window should appear.

[__archiben]

barbara

it sounds as though you're using archiCAD 9? (put your version/system information in your signature file - it makes it easier for people to answer your questions)

when you open a DWG/DXF file with archiCAD 9, you don't get the translation set-up dialogue that you used to get with 8.1 . . . it simply uses the translation file that you specify in the open dialogue - see the attached screenshot: specify the translator file in (2), or make any adjustments prior to the open command using the settings button (3).

archiCAD 8.1 and earlier......

Miki wrote:
To me it looks more like missing Add-on. It that would be a version conflict proper window should appear.

paul is right - with archiCAD 8.1 and earlier you cannot use the 'open' command and simply select a DWG/DXF to open without first telling archiCAD that you want to open a DWG/DXF file type. additionally there are two translator add-ons that come with AC8.1 - one for r14 to ACAD2004 (which also reads 2005) and one for previous versions up to r14 (i think).

if using archiCAD 8/8.1 use the add-on manager (Tools>Add-on Manager...') to check that you have the correct DWG translation engine installed. if it's the wrong one, 'unload' the existing translator and load the correct one using the add-on manager (the other can be found in your 'Goodies' folder).

then in the 'open' dialogue, ensure that you choose the DWG or DXF file type in the drop-down menu of file types to open before you select the DWG/DXF file you wish to open - this is step (1) in the attached screenshot although not required in AC9.

hope i haven't confused the issue even more. if this is not what you intended barbara, post us a screenshot so that we can see what's going on . . .

~/archiben

[Anonymous]

The reason why I am asking this is because my Printer when printing from Archicad prints strange colours which do not correspond with those on the screen. I've tested the printer on a seperate system and this sytem using Windows Paint and it works perfectly.

I can't find a reason why Archicad is printing these obscure colours and im seeking to find reasons. Could these DWG and DXF files be causing the problem?

[__archiben]

Barbara wrote:
I can't find a reason why Archicad is printing these obscure colours and im seeking to find reasons. Could these DWG and DXF files be causing the problem?

probably not. how are you opening them in archiCAD? a simple File>Open... or xrefing? or?

a long shot: are you definitely printing from archiCAD, or is it plotmaker? you're aware that you can change the pens and colours of a PMK when placed in plotmaker as completely different pens and colours from archiCAD? (if this is the case, select the drawing on the layout and Options>Pens and Colours... check to see if it's the same as in archiCAD. if not, re-place it into a new layout.)

if you are most definitely printing out of archiCAD i'm lost: i never used archiCAD 7 - skipping from 6.5 to 8 - so i don't know of any of the subtle nuances of printing from that version . . . .

HTH
~/archiben

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for your suggestions, unfortunately I can't solve my problem.Perhaps it has something to do with my new laptop I acquired recently, but......... I have those obscure colours only when I am printing from ArchiCad 7 (other programs are o.k).
Please tell me what do you think about it?
Confused.